Buncombe County Helene Recovery Update December 18, 2024

Buncombe County -- December 18, 2024: Press Release Buncombe County Government: Hazard Mitigation In-Person

Assistance, Property Damage Form and Lead Test Results from Asheville 

Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant Deadline 

Applications for the Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant, which offers up to three months of support for rent, mortgage payments, or utility bills, close today, December 17, at 5 p.m. Applications can be submitted at buncombecounty.org 

Storm Debris Removal Progress 

552,275 cubic yards of debris have been removed from the public right-of-way in Buncombe County, Town of Black Mountain, and the City of Asheville. 

Active fleet for December 18: 54 trucks collecting vegetative and construction debris, 16 dump trucks, 12 debris separation crews, and 12 tree crews. 

Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) program is available for homeowners who are unable to bring their storm debris to the public right-of-way. Intake centers are open at the Black Mountain Library, Fairview Library, Barnardsville Fire Department, Swannanoa Fire and Rescue at Bee Tree Substation, and the Asheville Mall. Applications can also be submitted online. 

Hazard Mitigation Assistance 

Buncombe County residents can apply for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which funds projects to reduce risks from future natural disasters.  

Beginning in January, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program staff from North Carolina Emergency Management will be in Buncombe County to assist property owners at the Asheville Mall.   

This resource will be co-located with FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center at the Asheville Mall. Staff will be there from January 6-17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the exception of Mondays where they will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

The state has received over 200 applications for this program for various levels of mitigation assistance.   

Community Care Stations 

These stations continue to provide important resources, including showers, laundry, and bottled water, and are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Locations include: 
Morgan Hill Baptist Church 
Bethel United Methodist 
Owen Pool 
Fairview Ingles, 225 Charlotte Highway 

Buncombe County Property Damage Form 

Buncombe County residents are encouraged to continue to report storm-related damage via the County’s Property Damage Form. Buncombe County, state, and federal partners will use this report to assess what kind of resources are available to property owners with their unique cases.  
Residents should include photos of the damage if they are able to and can get assistance filling out the form by calling the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100. 

City of Asheville Water Updates 

Lead Test Results 

Out of 464 samples received by the city, 19 showed detectable lead levels on the first draw; eight exceeded the EPA action limit. 
Detections all had the same commonality – water systems had been sitting dormant for an extended period. 
Flushing remains an effective method to reduce lead exposure. 
Test Kit Availability: The City of Asheville encourages customers to return their lead tests by January 31, 2025. Pick-up and drop-off locations for requested lead test kits is at the Asheville City Hall and the North Asheville, East Asheville, and West Asheville libraries.